Prevention is about peace of mind – the kind that comes from knowing that you are proactively monitoring the health and wellness of the pets you love. Banfield would love to partner with you in the ongoing care of your pet.

Recommended Results

Section Navigation

To Help Keep Them Healthy, Control Quantities

What, when, how much and how often? Feeding your pet can be confusing, so it’s important to make informed decisions. Get the facts about healthy foods and pet obesity – and how you can help maintain your pet’s healthy weight.

Banfield Nutrition Guide

Select the categories that fit your pet, and our handy e-tool will provide nutrition information to help you make good decisions for your dog or cat. Be sure to discuss these factors with your Banfield veterinarian: together you can finalize a nutrition plan for your unique pet.

PLEASE NOTE: This is general information based on a pet’s age, size, activity level and other factors. Be sure to discuss this information with your Banfield veterinarian; together you can finalize a dietary plan for your unique pet.

DogCat

{{selectedSubpageTitle}}

Life Stage Tips for

{{selectedPet.name}}

{{pet.name}}

Calories Per Day

{{results.Calories.CaloriesLow}} - {{results.Calories.CaloriesHigh}}

Not Applicable

{{results.Calories.Content}}

Breed Size: {{results.Breedsize.BreedSize}}

{{results.Breedsize.Content}}

Life Stage: {{results.Lifestage.AgeDisplay}}

Banfield Nutrition Guide

Select the categories that fit your pet, and our handy e-tool will provide nutrition information to help you make good decisions for your dog or cat. Be sure to discuss these factors with your Banfield veterinarian: together you can finalize a nutrition plan for your unique pet.

PLEASE NOTE: This is general information based on a pet’s age, size, activity level and other factors. Be sure to discuss this information with your Banfield veterinarian; together you can finalize a dietary plan for your unique pet.

Email Successfully Sent.Email was unsuccessful.You are not eligible for this offer.

*You can add up to 3 pets

How Often Should You Feed?

Your pet's daily calorie intake can be broken into several meals throughout the day, depending on life stage. Your veterinarian can work with you on a feeding schedule that works for your pet, and your lifestyle. As a guideline:

Puppies and Kittens Up To 4 Months

Feed 4 times a day several hours apart, starting in the early morning.

4-6 Months

Shift to 3 meals a day, as they are now able to maintain their nutrient levels longer.

6 Monthsand Older

Split up your pet's daily calories into 1-2 meals, or more depending on you and your pet's preferences.

What About Treats?

Used judiciously, treats can be a part of your pet's healthy diet. It's just a matter of accounting for the calories and making sure they don't contribute to more than 10% of your pet's daily intake.

Treat Them Right: Top Tips

1

Use treats as a positive reward or create a game that challenges pets to work for treats

2

Select
treats
that are low in calories (many are less than 5 calories) or consider saving part of your pet's kibble to use as treats

3

Limit treats to no more than 10% of your pet's daily calories

4

Instead of a food treat every time, mix in tummy rubs or new toys occasionally for a non-food reward

Why People Food Isn't Always Ideal For Pets

Some human foods – even in small treat-sized amounts – can take up too many of your pet's daily calories, and quickly add up to extra pounds.

Cat

Toy/Small Dog

Medium Dog

Large Dog

Giant Dog

999

Daily calorie intake based on a
0lb pet

Test

13%

2oz 2% milk: 30 cal

Test

13%

2oz 2% milk: 30 cal

Test

13%

2oz 2% milk: 30 cal

Test

13%

2oz 2% milk: 30 cal

Body Condition Score

How do veterinarians size up your pet's weight? By using body condition scores from 1 to 5; 1 is very thin and 5 is obese; 3 is just right!

DOG

CAT

1

2

3

4

5

Very Thin

Severely defined ribs and waist.

Side View

Overhead View

Thin

Easily visible ribs and waist.

Side View

Overhead View

Ideal Weight

Ribs easily felt, but not seen.Obvious waist.

Side View

Overhead View

Overweight

Ribs not easily seen nor felt.

Side View

Overhead View

Obese

Waist absent.

Side View

Overhead View

1

2

3

4

5

Very Thin

Severely defined ribs and waist.

Side View

Overhead View

Thin

Easily visible ribs and waist.

Side View

Overhead View

Ideal Weight

Ribs easily felt, but not seen.Obvious waist.

Side View

Overhead View

Overweight

Ribs not easily seen nor felt.

Side View

Overhead View

Obese

Waist absent.

Side View

Overhead View

State of Pet Health Report

An Epidemic: Overweight and Obesity

It's no joke. Overweight and obese pets are all too common in the USA. As pet owners, we owe it to our pets to help them be as healthy as they can.

FACT 1

Today,

1 in 3 dogs

are overweightor obese*

FACT 2

Today,

1 in 3 cats

are overweightor obese*

FACT 3

Across the USA overweightand obesity has

increased 158%

in dogs since 2007*

FACT 4

Since 2007, overweightand obesity has

increased 169%

in cats across the USA*

* All statistics are calculated by the Banfield Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK) Team, based on the 2.5 million dogs and 505,000 cats seen at Banfield Hospitals in 2016.

The nutrition content and tools provided on this site are for informational purposes only and should not be relied on as or substituted for veterinary medical advice. For nutrition information specific to your pet, please visit your Banfield veterinarian.